Designation: C 1105 05
Standard Test Method for
Length Change of Concrete Due to Alkali-Carbonate Rock
Reaction1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1105; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination, by measure-
ment of length change of concrete prisms, the susceptibility of
cement-aggregate combinations to expansive alkali-carbonate
reaction involving hydroxide ions associated with alkalies
(sodium and potassium) and certain calcitic dolomites and
dolomitic limestones.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates
C 125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete
Aggregates
C 150 Specification for Portland Cement
C 157/C 157M Test Method for Length Change of Hard-
ened Hydraulic-Cement Mortar and Concrete
C 233 Test Method for Testing Air-Entraining Admixtures
for Concrete
C 294 Descriptive Nomenclature of Constituents of Con-
crete Aggregates
C 295 Guide for Petrographic Examination of Aggregates
for Concrete
C 490 Practice for Use of Apparatus for the Determination
of Length Change of Hardened Cement Paste, Mortar, and
Concrete
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
C09.26 on Chemical Reactions.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C 1105 95(2002).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
C 511 Specification for Mixing Rooms, Moist Cabinets,
Moist Rooms, and Water Storage Tanks Used in the
Testing of Hydraulic Cements and Concretes
C 586 Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Car-
bonate Rocks for Concrete Aggregates (Rock Cylinder
Method)
C 595 Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision Statements for Test
Methods for Construction Materials
C 702 Practice for Reducing Field Samples of Aggregate to
Testing Size
D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
3. Terminology
3.1 Terminology used in this standard is defined in Termi-
nology C 125 or Descriptive Nomenclature C 294.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Two types of alkali reactivity of aggregates have been
described in the literature: the alkali-silica reaction involving
certain siliceous rocks, minerals, and artificial glasses (1),3 and
the alkali-carbonate reaction involving dolomite in certain
calcitic dolomites and dolomitic limestones (2). This test
method is not recommended as a means to detect combinations
susceptible to expansion due to alkali-silica reaction since it
was not evaluated for this use in the work reported by Buck (2).
This test method is not applicable to aggregates that do not
contain or consist of carbonate rock (see Descriptive Nomen-
clature C 294).
4.2 This test method is intended for evaluating the behavior
of specific combinations of concrete-making materials to be
used in the work. However, provisions are made for the use of
substitute materials when required. This test method assesses
the potential for expansion of concrete caused by alkali-
carbonate rock reaction from tests performed under prescribed
laboratory curing conditions that will probably differ from field
3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this test method.
 C 1105 05
conditions. Thus, actual field performance will not be dupli-
cated due to differences in wetting and drying, temperature,
other factors, or combinations of these (see Appendix X1).
4.3 Use of this test method is of particular value when
samples of aggregate from a source have been determined to
contain constituents that are regarded as capable of participa-
tion in a potentially deleterious alkali-carbonate rock reaction
either by petrographic examination, Guide C 295, by the rock
cylinder test, Test Method C 586, by service record; or by a
combination of these.
4.4 Results of tests conducted as described herein should
form a part of the basis for a decision as to whether precautions
be taken against excessive expansion due to alkali-carbonate
rock reaction. This decision should be made before a particular
cement-aggregate combination is used in concrete construction
(see Note 1).
NOTE 1Other elements that may be included in the decision-making
process for categorizing an aggregate or a cement-aggregate combination
with respect to whether precautions are needed, and examples of precau-
tions that may be taken, are described in Appendix X1.
4.5 While the basic intent of this test method is to develop
information on a particular cement-aggregate combination, it
will usually be very useful to conduct control tests in parallel
using the aggregate of interest with other cements or the
cement of interest with other aggregates.
5. Apparatus
5.1 The mold, the associated items for molding test speci-
mens, and the length comparator for measuring length change
shall conform to the applicable requirements of Test Method
C 157/C 157M and Practice C 490.
6. Materials
6.1 Maximum Size of Coarse AggregateCoarse-aggregate
fractions larger than the 19.0-mm (34-in.) sieve shall not be
tested as such. When petrographic examination using Guide
C 295 reveals that the material making up the size fractions
larger than the 19.0-mm sieve is of such a composition and
lithology that no differences should be expected compared with
the smaller size material to be tested, or when tests, made in
accordance with Test Method C 586, of material in such sizes
reveal no significant differences from the sizes to be tested,
then no further attention need be paid to the larger sizes. If
results of petrographic examination or tests made in accor-
dance with Test Method C 586 suggest that the larger size
material should be studied for its effects in concrete, one or the
other of two alternative procedures described herein may be
used.
6.1.1 Proportional TestingMaterial larger than the
19.0-mm (34-in.) sieve shall be crushed to pass the 19.0-mm
sieve and material larger than the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve shall
be proportioned to include the same proportion by mass of the
crushed material originally retained on the 19.0-mm sieve and
that originally passing this sieve, as may be expected to be used
in the field concrete.
6.1.2 Separated Size TestingMaterial larger than the
19.0-mm (34-in.) sieve shall be crushed to pass this sieve and
shall be used in concrete as a second aggregate.
2
6.1.2.1 In the case of construction where several size ranges
coarser than the 19.0-mm (34-in.) sieve are contemplated, each
of these may, if desired, be separately crushed to pass this sieve
and may be tested separately.
6.2 Job CementWhen it is desired to evaluate a particular
cement-aggregate combination for use in particular work, the
cement or cements used shall meet the requirements for the
work and shall be from the source or sources and in the
amounts expected to be used in the work. If several cements
may be used in the work, it is desirable that tests be made using
each cement separately.
6.3 Reference CementsWhen it is desired to evaluate
aggregates for general use or to compare aggregates for
investigational purposes, the cement used shall be of the
highest alkali content representative of the general use in-
tended, or available to the laboratory making the tests. The
cement or cements selected should comply with Specification
C 150 or Specification C 595. Additional information of value
may be obtained by conducting parallel tests with cements of
different alkali content, of different sodium oxide to potassium
oxide ratio, or blended with pozzolan or ground blast-furnace
slag, or both.
6.4 Substitute Fine AggregateIf the test aggregate is to be
used only as coarse aggregate and the fine aggregate that it will
be used with is not available, a fine aggregate that is not
expected to participate in an expansive reaction with alkalies
(see Note 2) shall be used.
NOTE 2Advice on judging the expansive reactivity of aggregate is
given in Appendix XI of Specification C 33.
7. Sampling
7.1 Obtain the sample in accordance with Practice D 75 and
reduce it to test portion size in accordance with Practice C 702.
8. Test Specimens
8.1 Prepare six specimens, of the type required for concrete
Test Method C 157/C 157M, having square cross-sections of
75.0 6 0.7 mm or 3.00 6 0.03 in. from one batch of concrete.
The concrete mixture shall be the mixture in which the
aggregates are proposed for use. In the event that no specific
concrete mixture is being considered, that described in Test
Method C 233 may be used.
8.2 If control or comparison mixtures are made, specimens
shall be made from those mixtures as described in 8.1.
9. Conditioning
9.1 Cure, store, and remove molds in accordance with Test
Method C 157/C 157M. Thereafter, keep the specimens in
moist storage in accordance with Specification C 511 but do
not immerse in water.
10. Procedure
10.1 Follow the procedure of Test Method C 157/C 157M,
except that the specimens shall be stored in a moist room or
moist cabinet meeting the requirements of Specification C 511
and length measurements shall be made at ages 7, 28, and 56
days, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
 C 1105 05
11. Calculation Average % Expansion
<0.040 % $0.040 %
11.1 Calculate the change in length of each of the prisms at
each of the ages at which determinations are made and express Single-operator standard deviation (1s) among 0.003 % 0.005 %
individual bars
as a percentage change based on the length at the time of Maximum difference (d2sA) between extreme
removal from the mold at an age of 2312 6 12 h. Calculate the values within a set of bars in a properly
conducted test should not exceed:
average length change in percentage for the group of prisms.
11.2 Data from at least three bars must be available at any number of bars in set
6 0.013 % 0.021 %
age to constitute a valid test at that age. 5 0.012 % 0.020 %
4 0.012 % 0.019 %
12. Report 3 0.011 % 0.017 %
Calculated expected 1S associated with a mean 0.002 % 0.003 %
12.1 Report the following information: of 3 bars
Maximum permissible difference between two 0.005 % 0.008 %
12.1.1 Pertinent details about materials and mixtures used, such means in properly conducted tests should
not exceed
12.1.2 The length change in percentage for each specimen
A
and for the group of prisms at each test age, and As described in Practice C 670.
13.1.2 Multilaboratory PrecisionIn studies involving 12
12.1.3 Description of the circumstances under which results
and 20 laboratories [8], testing three specimens rather than the
on any one of the specimens are not included in the average.
six specified in this test method, and testing nominal 19 mm
4 maximum size coarse aggregates known to be susceptible to
13. Precision and Bias alkalicarbonate rock reaction, in concrete mixtures with a
13.1 Precision: cement content of 310 kg/m3 (522 lb/yd3), the multilaboratory
13.1.1 Single-Operator PrecisionThe precision statement precision was found to be as follows:
is based on calculations made using data reported by Buck (2). 13.1.2.1 For concrete with an average expansion less than
The particular within-laboratory variability for which precision 0.014 % the multilaboratory standard deviation of a single test
is reported was obtained by a single operator, using the same result (mean of measurements on three prisms) for average
expansion less than 0.014 % has been found to be 0.0032 %.
materials and equipment over a short period of time. The
Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests in different
single-operator standard deviation (1sA) does not vary appre-
laboratories using the same aggregate should not differ by more
ciably with age over the range of 90 through 365 days.
than 0.009 %.5
Standard deviation varies with the magnitude of the expansion 13.1.2.2 For concrete with an average expansion greater
described as follows: than 0.014 % the multilaboratory coefficient of variation of a
single test result (mean of measurements on three prisms) for
average expansion greater than 0.014 % has been found to be
23 %. Therefore, results of two properly conducted tests in
different laboratories using the same aggregate should not
differ from each other by more than 65 % of their average.5
13.2 BiasA statement on bias has not been developed
since no reference materials are available.

4 5
Supporting data are available from ASTM International Headquarters. Request: These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s %) and (d2s %) limits as
RR: C-9-1002. described in Practice C 670.

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. GENERAL INFORMATION

X1.1 The question of whether or not criterion based on the
results obtained using this test method should be used for
acceptance of materials for use as concrete aggregate will be
dealt with, if deemed appropriate, in Specification C 33.
X1.2 Work has been reported from which it may be inferred
that a cement-aggregate combination might reasonably be
classified as potentially deleteriously reactive if the average
expansion of six concrete specimens is equal to or greater than:
0.015 % at 3 months; 0.025 % at 6 months; or 0.030 % at 1
year (1,2). Data for later ages are preferred but the 3-month or
6-month average may be used if necessary.
X1.3 If this test method has been performed on a cement-
aggregate combination involving an aggregate that has not
been examined petrographically using Practice C 295, or that
has not been measured by the rock prism expansion in Test
Method C 586, it is recommended that one or both of those

3
 C 1105 05
procedures be performed.
X1.4 When it has been concluded from the results of tests
performed using this test method and supplementary informa-
tion from petrographic examination, rock-prism testing, service
records, or combinations of these, that a given cement-
aggregate combination is potentially deleteriously expansive,
additional studies may be appropriate to develop information
on the potential expansion of other combinations containing
the same cement with other aggregates, the same aggregate
with other cements, or the same cement-aggregate combination
with a pozzolan or slag.
X1.5 If a cement-aggregate combination tested using this
test method is judged by the results to be non-reactive, no
restrictions on the use of the aggregate with the cement used in
the test are necessary in order to protect against probable
alkali-carbonate rock reaction. If the combination is judged to
be reactive, measures to control the effects of the reaction
(3,4) include:
X1.5.1 The use of the smallest nominal maximum size
coarse aggregate that is practical.
X1.5.2 A maximum of 20 % reactive rock in the coarse
aggregate, 20 % reactive rock in the fine aggregate, or a total of
15 % reactive rock if the coarse and fine aggregate both contain
reactive rock.
X1.5.3 Use of a cement having no greater an alkali content
than a cement tested using test method for which the results are
judged to be non-reactive.
X1.5.4 Additional useful information about this chemical
reaction is included in (5-7).

REFERENCES

(1) Newlon, H. H., and Sherwood, W. C., A Study of Remedial Methods
for Reducing Alkali-Carbonate Reaction, Progress Report No.
4Potentially Reactive Carbonate Rocks, Virginia Council of High-
ways Investigation and Research, May 1963.
(2) Buck, A. D., Control of Reactive Carbonate Rocks in Concrete,
Technical Report C-75-3, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment
Station, CE, September 1975.
(3) Newlon, H. H., Sherwood, W. C., and Ozol, M. A., A Strategy for Use
and Control of Potentially Reactive Carbonate Rocks (Including an
Annotated Bibliography of Virginia Research), Progress Report No.
8Potentially Reactive Carbonate RocksVirginia Council of High-
ways Investigation and Research, June 1972.
(4) Mather, Bryant, Developments in Specifications and Control,
Cement-Aggregate Reaction, Transportation Research Record 525,
National Research Council, 1974, pp. 3842.
(5) Hadley, D. W., Alkali Reactivity of Dolomitic Carbonate Rocks,
Highway Research Record 45, Highway Research Board, 1964, pp.
119.
(6) Walker, H. N., Chemical Reactions of Carbonate Aggregates in
Cement Paste, Significance of Tests and Properties of Concrete and
Concrete-Making Materials, ASTM STP169B, ASTM, 1978, pp.
722743.
(7) Rogers, C. A., Evaluation of the Potential for Expansion and
Cracking of Concrete Caused by the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction,
Cement, Concrete, and Aggregates, Vol. 8, No. 1, Summer 1986, pp.
1323.
(8) Rogers, C. A., Interlaboratory Study of the Concrete Prism Expansion
Test for the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction, Proceedings of the 7th
International Conference on Concrete Alkali-Aggregate Reactions,
Ottawa, Published by Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, N.J., 1987, pp.
270274.
(9) Rogers, C. A., Interlaboratory Study of the Concrete Prism Expansion
Test for the Alkali-Carbonate Reaction, Canadian Developments in
Testing Concrete Aggregates for Alkali-Aggregate Reactivity, Ontario
Ministry of Tranportation, Engineering Materials Report EM-92,
March 1990, pp. 136149.

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